Appliance Safety Tips

The appliances in a house often make life less stressful, but when you operate them incorrectly, they could produce evident risks. It is important to care for your appliances and ensure that they will not become dangers by adhering to these appliance safety recommendations from Campbell Appliance Repair.

The professional tips below help to prevent fires and injuries due to broken appliances. However, hazards can still occur. If a home appliance breaks or starts to malfunction and becomes a safety concern, reach out to a appliance repair Arlington.

Install GFCI Outlets in Wet Locations in Your Home

Kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, bathrooms, outdoor areas and garages are all susceptible to wetness or water. Of course, electricity and moisture don’t mix, so power cords and wires should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

This special type of electrical outlet will prevent electrocution by tripping the circuit when any interruptions in power are detected.

If you do not currently have GFCI outlets installed in wet locations inside and around your house, it is time to install them or call an electrician in Arlington. Then, for safety, you will want to heed the warnings of certain appliance manuals that indicate they are not designed for outdoor use.

Cords, Outlets & Electronics Far Away From Water

A lot of home appliances are designed for outdoor use, like charcoal and gas grills, for example. If you have electrical appliances outdoors – including dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers, electric tools and more – ensure that all of the outlets and plugs are not wet. Using weatherproof electronics can help, combined with GFCI outlets with water-tight gaskets.

Extension Cords are a Temporary Answer

An extension cord poses many potential risks, including:

The potential for loose connections that can result in sparks and cause a fire.
The chance of power fluctuations that would break the appliance.
Increased susceptibility to moisture penetration that could lead to electrocution.
The potential for cords overheating and turning into a fire hazard when an inadequate extension cord is combined with a high-power appliance.

When determining an extension cord for short-term use, ensure that it is the correct gauge for the electrical tool in question. The lower the gauge, the greater the size for the cord. For example, a electrical extension cord for a radio could have a 16-gauge wire while a heavy-duty cord for a window air conditioner requires a 12-gauge wire.

The length of the cord is also important. The longer the cord is, the more power is lost on the way, something known as voltage drop. Short extension cords are advised for power tools and similar equipment.

Always Be Sure to Read the Operating Manual for Any Type of Appliance You Buy

It is simple to guess that you know how to use a brand new home appliance without reading the manual, but consulting the guidelines is important for several reasons:

You should find out whether your house’s wiring is sufficient to support the new appliance. You might have to install a better circuit to stop overloading any existing ones.

You learn more about advanced features you might not otherwise known.
You discover if the new appliance is safe for outdoor use or not.

You don’t have the stress that can come from trying to operate a appliance with no instructions!

Unplug Small Appliances When Not Being Used

You are able to limit unnecessary energy usage by unplugging appliances when not in use. The reason is small appliances include LED signals, timers and other features while in standby times.

Unplug TVs, computer monitors, internet routers, game systems, phone chargers and more to reduce unnecessary energy usage. But remember, it is a good idea to keep DVRs and similar electronics plugged in to prevent missing out on their automatic background functions.

For additional tips on using appliances safely, or to hire a professional appliance repair company, please contact Campbell Appliance Repair. Our repairmen can repair all name brand home appliances!